The Trouble With Fear
THE TROUBLE WITH FEAR
“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” – Mark 13:7-8.
Fear is all around us. Just turn on the evening news and pull out a stopwatch. How many seconds does it take into the broadcast before some juicy, fear-inducing tidbit comes rolling off the anchor’s tongue? How many terrifying, anxiety producing posts do you happen across every day on social media? Then there are terrifying things we expose ourselves to intentionally in movies, books, video games and such. How about frightening rumors or gossip, let alone a devastating diagnosis, personal tragedy or trauma? There is a reason the words, “Do not fear” occur 365 times in scripture. It’s because we need to hear it from God every day.
Just today, I spoke with a young woman who was fearful about how well her new book was going to be accepted by readers. Another young woman was fearful about unrest in her country, because the people were threatening to protest against the government, and she had already spent ten years of her life in a refugee camp. A third woman was afraid, because she needed to take on responsibilities of managing the estate of her brother who had recently died tragically. And a fourth woman contacted me asking for prayer for medical test results that were of great concern, and she was concerned about slipping into the clutches of fear. The subject matter and scope of our fears runs the full spectrum. It leads to sleepless nights, short tempers and even shorter lives.
Have you ever gone to a scary movie and felt your heart racing and fear mounting right in pace with the soundtrack? Have you ever let out a scream in the theater when sudden, shrieking violins herald the arrival of terror just on the other side of the shower curtain? The truth is that while a portion of our brain knows what we are watching is fantasy, another part of it doesn’t. And our poor bodies are clueless and pump out chemicals consistent with being in the fight of our life on a battlefield or facing a life or death situation.
Even if it isn’t on a screen, our own thoughts can take us for a tormenting ride of horror, without ever leaving the comfort of our favorite recliner. It is then that we enter the realm of fear.
A “realm” is another word for kingdom, monarchy, principality, country, domain. Who might be the monarch over such a principality as “the realm of fear?” Satan, the devil, the deceiver, of course!
Stay with me here. We are admonished in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;” We are told to take our thoughts captive so as to be submitted in obedience to Christ. Just as our thoughts can be held captive by the bonds of love in Christ Jesus, they can also be taken captive and held prisoner by the kingdom of fear.
I was praying for these friends today when this verse came to mind:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7.
I suddenly saw this verse in a slightly different way. I usually look at it through the lens of Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.” Here I have looked at it as my asking God for a personal, spiritual overhaul where He replaces my fearfulness, brokenness, hatred and insanity with His power, love and a sound mind, also known as sanity.
We know that in the beginning when God created man (Gen 2:7), He breathed the breath of His spirit within us. He breathed into mankind His Spirit which is devoid of fear.
I have understood 2 Timothy 1:7 be referring to the fearless breath of His spirit that was breathed into man Genesis.
While this is certainly true, I have come to see that the spirit mentioned here can also refer to the Holy Spirit of Acts 2:4, the Comforter given to us as our counselor, guide and companion. Living in God’s kingdom, His Holy Spirit leads us in the paths of righteousness. In addition to the spirit and spark of life breathed into man in Genesis, the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit we have been given. And while, if the Lord tarries, we will all eventually walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He also leads us beside still waters, makes us lie down in green pastures and He restores our souls.
If we change the inflection in the phrase “For God has not given us a spirit of FEAR...” to “For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear...” the meaning changes. This may merely be my own conjecture, but perhaps we can say that the verse may also be saying that it wasn’t GOD who gave us the spirit of fear, but rather a spirit from the kingdom of darkness came to instill fear in us.
When we step outside of the protection of our thoughts that comes through submission to the captivity of Christ, we step, instead, into the realm of fear. Luke 9:50 tells us that “He who is not against you is for you.” There are only two kingdoms—the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Darkness. If our thoughts are not held captive by one kingdom, they will be held captive by the other. There are no spiritual international waters.
The Spirit of God does not leave us (Heb 13:5), but when our unconstrained thoughts leave the protection of the love of Christ, they step into the captivity of the kingdom of darkness. There the ruler of that kingdom also, then, has a spirit assigned to be our companion—a tour guide of sorts—a spirit of fear.
Picture the special tour guides at Disneyland that take you on the behind the scenes tours of “the Magic Kingdom.” Imagine then, that instead of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” that the demonic tour guides of the kingdom of darkness lead us through the land of “What If’s” where every tormenting image and scenario are played out on the big screen, 3-D high definition retinal display in our mind. Meanwhile our bodies are pumping out the chemistry of fear and terror.
A demonic presence does not need to reside within us to effectively paralyze us with fear. A rusty sword, undisciplined thoughts, shaky faith and well-chosen whispers from the kingdom of darkness will suffice.
Beloved, the grace of God is available to us when we go through hard, painful and frightening things. However, His grace to go through our difficulties appears just at the precise moment it is needed, not a moment before. It is also only poured out upon us for actual struggles, not the imaginary ones.
Take your thoughts captive and take on thinking consistent with the kingdom of God!
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8.
Bear with me! “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:11-18.
Armor up, beloved! Do not attempt to fight the powers of darkness with your wits. James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us, but the resistance being spoken of isn’t just simply digging our heels and saying, “I’m not going and you can’t make me!” The resistance being referenced is wielding the sword of the Word of God.
Stuff your spirit full of the Word, so when the lies of the enemy come flying at you as fiery darts, you can extinguish them with your shield of faith and mount a counter attack of piercing blows with the two-edged sword of the Word of God.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but fear WILL be a companion and tour guide if we fail to take our thoughts captive to Christ, and if we allow our thoughts step outside of the constraints consistent with those of the kingdom of God; and we instead allow our thoughts to be led into the realm of fear.
Heavenly Father, together with the one reading this, we come before You. Reveal which kingdom is holding our thoughts captive. Reveal whether the thoughts we allow ourselves to entertain are consistent with Philippians 4:8, or if they more closely resemble a horror movie, shown courtesy of the kingdom of Hell. Strengthen us to put on Your whole armor and fight the killing, stealing, destroying, discouraging and paralyzing lies of the enemy with Your Word that does not return void (Is 55:11). Help us, then, when we have done everything there is to do, to stand firm. Fill us with your courage, Lord. Send Your Holy Spirit as our companion and the renewer of a right and empowered spirit and a sane and healthy mind by which to discern the truth. And cast out our fear by Your perfect love (1 John 4:18). In Jesus Name ❤️
Dear Friend, if you are tormented by paralyzing fear and anxiety, it is not from God. Why not come before the Lord and ask Him to help you to put on the whole armor of God and
take your thoughts captive, so you can resist the devil and he will flee from you? 💡
“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” – Mark 13:7-8.
Fear is all around us. Just turn on the evening news and pull out a stopwatch. How many seconds does it take into the broadcast before some juicy, fear-inducing tidbit comes rolling off the anchor’s tongue? How many terrifying, anxiety producing posts do you happen across every day on social media? Then there are terrifying things we expose ourselves to intentionally in movies, books, video games and such. How about frightening rumors or gossip, let alone a devastating diagnosis, personal tragedy or trauma? There is a reason the words, “Do not fear” occur 365 times in scripture. It’s because we need to hear it from God every day.
Just today, I spoke with a young woman who was fearful about how well her new book was going to be accepted by readers. Another young woman was fearful about unrest in her country, because the people were threatening to protest against the government, and she had already spent ten years of her life in a refugee camp. A third woman was afraid, because she needed to take on responsibilities of managing the estate of her brother who had recently died tragically. And a fourth woman contacted me asking for prayer for medical test results that were of great concern, and she was concerned about slipping into the clutches of fear. The subject matter and scope of our fears runs the full spectrum. It leads to sleepless nights, short tempers and even shorter lives.
Have you ever gone to a scary movie and felt your heart racing and fear mounting right in pace with the soundtrack? Have you ever let out a scream in the theater when sudden, shrieking violins herald the arrival of terror just on the other side of the shower curtain? The truth is that while a portion of our brain knows what we are watching is fantasy, another part of it doesn’t. And our poor bodies are clueless and pump out chemicals consistent with being in the fight of our life on a battlefield or facing a life or death situation.
Even if it isn’t on a screen, our own thoughts can take us for a tormenting ride of horror, without ever leaving the comfort of our favorite recliner. It is then that we enter the realm of fear.
A “realm” is another word for kingdom, monarchy, principality, country, domain. Who might be the monarch over such a principality as “the realm of fear?” Satan, the devil, the deceiver, of course!
Stay with me here. We are admonished in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;” We are told to take our thoughts captive so as to be submitted in obedience to Christ. Just as our thoughts can be held captive by the bonds of love in Christ Jesus, they can also be taken captive and held prisoner by the kingdom of fear.
I was praying for these friends today when this verse came to mind:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7.
I suddenly saw this verse in a slightly different way. I usually look at it through the lens of Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.” Here I have looked at it as my asking God for a personal, spiritual overhaul where He replaces my fearfulness, brokenness, hatred and insanity with His power, love and a sound mind, also known as sanity.
We know that in the beginning when God created man (Gen 2:7), He breathed the breath of His spirit within us. He breathed into mankind His Spirit which is devoid of fear.
I have understood 2 Timothy 1:7 be referring to the fearless breath of His spirit that was breathed into man Genesis.
While this is certainly true, I have come to see that the spirit mentioned here can also refer to the Holy Spirit of Acts 2:4, the Comforter given to us as our counselor, guide and companion. Living in God’s kingdom, His Holy Spirit leads us in the paths of righteousness. In addition to the spirit and spark of life breathed into man in Genesis, the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit we have been given. And while, if the Lord tarries, we will all eventually walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He also leads us beside still waters, makes us lie down in green pastures and He restores our souls.
If we change the inflection in the phrase “For God has not given us a spirit of FEAR...” to “For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear...” the meaning changes. This may merely be my own conjecture, but perhaps we can say that the verse may also be saying that it wasn’t GOD who gave us the spirit of fear, but rather a spirit from the kingdom of darkness came to instill fear in us.
When we step outside of the protection of our thoughts that comes through submission to the captivity of Christ, we step, instead, into the realm of fear. Luke 9:50 tells us that “He who is not against you is for you.” There are only two kingdoms—the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Darkness. If our thoughts are not held captive by one kingdom, they will be held captive by the other. There are no spiritual international waters.
The Spirit of God does not leave us (Heb 13:5), but when our unconstrained thoughts leave the protection of the love of Christ, they step into the captivity of the kingdom of darkness. There the ruler of that kingdom also, then, has a spirit assigned to be our companion—a tour guide of sorts—a spirit of fear.
Picture the special tour guides at Disneyland that take you on the behind the scenes tours of “the Magic Kingdom.” Imagine then, that instead of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” that the demonic tour guides of the kingdom of darkness lead us through the land of “What If’s” where every tormenting image and scenario are played out on the big screen, 3-D high definition retinal display in our mind. Meanwhile our bodies are pumping out the chemistry of fear and terror.
A demonic presence does not need to reside within us to effectively paralyze us with fear. A rusty sword, undisciplined thoughts, shaky faith and well-chosen whispers from the kingdom of darkness will suffice.
Beloved, the grace of God is available to us when we go through hard, painful and frightening things. However, His grace to go through our difficulties appears just at the precise moment it is needed, not a moment before. It is also only poured out upon us for actual struggles, not the imaginary ones.
Take your thoughts captive and take on thinking consistent with the kingdom of God!
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8.
Bear with me! “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:11-18.
Armor up, beloved! Do not attempt to fight the powers of darkness with your wits. James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us, but the resistance being spoken of isn’t just simply digging our heels and saying, “I’m not going and you can’t make me!” The resistance being referenced is wielding the sword of the Word of God.
Stuff your spirit full of the Word, so when the lies of the enemy come flying at you as fiery darts, you can extinguish them with your shield of faith and mount a counter attack of piercing blows with the two-edged sword of the Word of God.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but fear WILL be a companion and tour guide if we fail to take our thoughts captive to Christ, and if we allow our thoughts step outside of the constraints consistent with those of the kingdom of God; and we instead allow our thoughts to be led into the realm of fear.
Heavenly Father, together with the one reading this, we come before You. Reveal which kingdom is holding our thoughts captive. Reveal whether the thoughts we allow ourselves to entertain are consistent with Philippians 4:8, or if they more closely resemble a horror movie, shown courtesy of the kingdom of Hell. Strengthen us to put on Your whole armor and fight the killing, stealing, destroying, discouraging and paralyzing lies of the enemy with Your Word that does not return void (Is 55:11). Help us, then, when we have done everything there is to do, to stand firm. Fill us with your courage, Lord. Send Your Holy Spirit as our companion and the renewer of a right and empowered spirit and a sane and healthy mind by which to discern the truth. And cast out our fear by Your perfect love (1 John 4:18). In Jesus Name ❤️
Dear Friend, if you are tormented by paralyzing fear and anxiety, it is not from God. Why not come before the Lord and ask Him to help you to put on the whole armor of God and
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